Chair Assembly

ABSTRACT

The present application is directed to a chair assembly comprising a frame member and one or more textile members disposed across the frame member. The frame member is operationally configured to releasably secure different parts of the one or more textile members in a manner effective for the one or more textile members to form a support surface in the form of a seat and back of the chair assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/119,178, filed on Feb. 21, 2015.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE APPLICATION

The application relates generally to a chair assembly including a frame assembly and one or more removable textile members secured thereto for supporting persons thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE APPLICATION

Chairs that have detachable seat arrangements are known. However, such chairs include detachable seat arrangements that are constructed for the particular purpose of operating as part of a particular chair design. A chair that may incorporate any number of readily available textile materials as a seat portion and/or back portion of the chair is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION

The present application is directed to a chair assembly comprising a frame member and a textile member; the frame member having a first fastening assembly for releasable securement of part of the textile member and a second fastening assembly for releasable securement of a different part of the textile member; the first and second fastening assemblies securing the textile member in a manner effective to provide a seat and back of the chair assembly.

The present application is also directed to a chair assembly comprising a frame member and a textile member disposed across the frame member; the frame member being operationally configured to releasably sandwich different parts of the textile member in a manner effective for the textile member to form a seat and back of the chair assembly.

The present application is also directed to a chair assembly comprising a frame member and a textile member; wherein the frame member includes tongue and groove assemblies for securing different parts of the textile member in a fixed position in a manner effective for the textile member to form a support surface of the chair assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a chair assembly of the present application.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a frame member of the chair assembly of the present application.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a top attachment cross member assembly of a frame member with the top attachment cross member assembly in an open position.

FIG. 4 is the top attachment cross member assembly of FIG. 3 in a closed position.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional phantom side view of a simplified embodiment of a top attachment cross member assembly of an embodiment of a frame member.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a chair assembly including a textile member secured to the top attachment cross member assembly.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a chair assembly including an end of a textile member secured to the top attachment cross member assembly and an opposing end disposed through the void of a front attachment cross member assembly presented in an open position.

FIG. 8 is a simplified illustration of an individual seated upon an embodiment of the chair assembly of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the present assembly and method are not limited to particular embodiments. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms “seat” and “back” in relation to the chair assembly discussed herein are used as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art of seating. For example, a “seat” refers to the part of a chair upon which a person sits. The “back” of a chair refers to the part of a chair that supports a person's backside typically above his/her waist area. The “seat” and “back” of the present chair assembly may collectively be referred to as the “support surface.” The phrase “ground” herein refers to the surface upon which the chair assembly of this application may be positioned for use. Without limiting the invention to any number of possible locales, the ground may include any number of indoor and outdoor surfaces and surface structures upon which chairs and the like have been positioned for use, such as the bare earth, flooring, various construction type surfaces, level type surfaces of objects, i.e., the bed of a pickup truck, or any other surface upon which a person may desire to sit using the chair assembly of the present application.

In one aspect, the application provides a chair assembly including a frame member operationally configured to receive one or more textile members in secured attachment thereto in a manner effective for the one or more textile members to support the weight of a user of the chair assembly. The frame member is also operationally configured to receive one or more textile members in their original condition without the need to modify any textile member for use as part of the present chair assembly.

In another aspect, the application provides a chair assembly including a frame member and a textile member that is suspendedly supported by the frame member, the textile member providing a support surface of the chair assembly for an individual using the chair assembly.

In another aspect, the application provides a chair assembly including a frame member and a textile member that is suspendedly supported by the frame member, the textile member providing a seat portion and/or a back portion of the chair assembly.

In another aspect, the application provides a portable chair assembly operationally configured to suspendedly support textile members such as bedding materials, towels such as bath towels and beach towels, tarp materials, flags, clothing, and combinations thereof, one or more of such textile members being operationally configured to operate as one or more support surfaces of a chair assembly.

In another aspect, the application provides a chair assembly including a frame member having a seat frame portion and a back frame portion wherein the front of the seat frame portion is operationally configured to hold part of a textile member in a fixed position and the top of the back frame portion is operationally configured to hold another part of the textile member in a fixed position.

In another aspect, the application provides a chair assembly including a foldable frame member operationally configured to receive one or more removable textile members in attachment thereto in a manner effective for the one or more textile members to support the weight of a user of the chair assembly.

With reference now to a simplified illustration of the invention as provided in FIG. 1, a chair assembly 10 is provided including a frame member 11 and a textile member 12. In this embodiment, the frame member 11 is defined by a seat frame assembly 14 and a back frame assembly 16. As shown, the textile member 12 may include a planar flexible and/or stretchable textile material, or combination of textile materials, operationally configured to be communicated with the frame member 11 in a manner effective to dispose the textile member 12 across the frame member 11 to support the weight of an individual thereon. It is also contemplated that the textile member 12 may include a non-planar surface operable as a support surface of an individual using the chair assembly 10.

Turning to FIG. 2, a suitable seat frame assembly 14 includes a first side member 18, a second opposing side member 19 and a front (or bottom) attachment cross member assembly 20 disposed there between and attached to a first end of the side members 18 and 19 as shown. Suitably, the bottom side attachment cross member assembly 20 is operationally configured to secure part of one or more textile members 12 in a fixed position during operation of the chair assembly 10. As such, the bottom side attachment cross member assembly 20 operates as a first fastener of one or more textile members 12. As FIG. 2 depicts, the side members 18 and 19 extend front to back (1) a distance effective for the second ends of the side members 18 and 19 to provide a rear base for the chair assembly 10 operatively similar as two hind legs of a four legged chair and (2) a distance effective to form a seat frame of the chair assembly 10 when a textile member 12 is securely attached thereto during use.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the back frame assembly 16 includes opposing side members 24 and 25 and a back (or top) attachment cross member assembly 21 disposed there between and attached to a first end of the side members 24, 25 as shown. Suitably, the top attachment cross member assembly 21 is operationally configured to secure part of one or more textile members 12 in a fixed position during operation of the chair assembly 10. As such, the top attachment cross member assembly 21 operates as a second fastener of one or more textile members 12. In this embodiment, the side members 24 and 25 suitably extend top to bottom (1) a distance effective for the second ends of the side members 24 and 25 to provide a front base for the chair assembly 10 operatively similar as two fore legs of a four legged chair and (2) a distance effective to form a back frame of the chair assembly 10 when a textile member 12 is securely attached thereto during chair assembly 10 use. During operation, the top attachment cross member assembly 21 is operationally configured to secure one or more textile members 12 in a manner effective to form a top edge 71 of a back of the chair assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 8.

As FIG. 2 further shows, the side members 18 and 19 of the seat frame assembly 14 and the side members 24 and 25 of the back frame assembly 16 are suitably pivotally attached via pivot pins 27 or the like. Although the pivot point interconnecting the side members may be located as desired, the pivot point of the side members 24 and 25 are suitably located at one or more points allowing for operable use of the chair assembly 10 as a foldable chair. In one apposite embodiment, the pivot pins 27 may be located up to about one-third from the second end of the side members 24, 25.

In this embodiment the frame member 11 also includes brace members 30 and 32 and an adjustment member 35 disposed between the brace members 30, 32 for setting the angle of the back frame assembly 16 during chair assembly 10 use. As shown, the adjustment member 35 includes an elongated member defined by a longitudinal axis that may extend through each of the brace members 30, 32, or is otherwise attached to each of the brace members 30, 32 in a fixed position effective to maintain the angle of the back frame assembly 16 during use of the chair assembly 10. As understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art of chair design, the brace members 30, 32 are suitably pivotally attached to the side members 24 and 25 via pivot pins 28 allowing the adjustment member 35 to be positioned along the upper surface of the side members 18 and 19 of the seat frame assembly 14 according to the surface configuration of the upper surface of the side members 18, 19, which may include a plurality of stops 37 extending out from the upper surface of the side members 18, 19 that are operationally configured to catch and hold the adjustment member 35, brace members 30, 32 and side members 24, 25 in a fixed position. Said another way, the configuration of the seat frame assembly 14 is operationally configured to dictate the angle of the back frame assembly 15 during chair assembly 10 use.

As shown, the stops 37 disposed along each side member 18, 19 may be linearly aligned in opposing corresponding pairs and spaced apart in a manner effective to provide various optional angled positions of the back frame assembly 16 during chair assembly 10 use. According to one exemplary layout of the stops 37, the set angle positions of the back frame assembly 16 may range from about 40.0 degrees to about 85.0 degrees according to the angle between the backside of the back frame assembly 16 and the ground. At a minimum, the space between stops 37 is large enough to receive the adjustment member 35 there between in abutment with the upper surface of the side members 18, 19. In one embodiment, the stops 37 may include outer surfaces forming right angles with the upper surface of the side members 18, 19 as shown in FIG. 2. In another embodiment, the stops 37 may be angled less than ninety degrees or include curved surfaces as shown in FIG. 8. In still another embodiment, the upper surface of the side members 18, 19 may include cut out regions or grooves operationally configured to catch and hold the adjustment member 35 therein. A combination of stops 37 and cut out regions is also contemplated. Aesthetically, it may be desirable to have all stops 37, or cut out regions, of similar kind, but size and shape may vary per individual stop 37 as desired.

With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the top attachment cross member assembly 21 includes a moveable portion comprised of two opposing arm members 40, 41 and a first sandwiching member 42 disposed there between and attached at or near the distal ends of the arm members 40, 41 as shown. The top attachment cross member assembly 21 also suitably includes sleeve members 43, 44 or the like for receiving the arm members 40, 41 in a mated position therein in a manner effective for the sandwiching member 42 to be directed between a closed sandwiching position and an open non-sandwiching position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the arm members 40, 41 are substantially extended out from the sleeve members 43, 44 forming a void 50 (see FIG. 3) between the sandwiching member 42 and first and second brace members 45 and 46 of the top attachment cross member assembly 21.

With attention to FIG. 3, when the sandwiching member 42 and arm members 40, 41 are set to extended open position during assembly/disassembly of the chair assembly 10, the void 50 formed between the sandwiching member 42 and the first and second brace members 45 and 46 of the top attachment cross member assembly 21 is operationally configured to receive one or more textile members 12 there through. In one embodiment, the sandwiching member 42 may include a planar surface member for abutting the topside of the first and second brace members 45 and 46 in order to sandwich a textile member 12 there between when the sandwiching member 42 is directed to a sandwiching closed position (see Directional Arrow AA) for securing and fixing a textile member 12. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the sandwiching effect between the sandwiching member 42 and the first and second brace members 45 and 46 may be augmented by providing a sandwiching member 42 defined by one or more elongated jut members 48 disposed lengthwise across the bottom surface of the sandwiching member 42. In this embodiment, the one or more jut members 48 suitably extend out from the surface of the sandwiching member 42 in a manner effective to be directed between the first and second brace members 45 and 46 when the sandwiching member 42 is directed to a sandwiching closed position. As shown, the first and second brace members 45 and 46 are each spaced apart according to their locations of attachment at opposing sides of the side members 24, 25, whereby part of a textile member 12 disposed through void 50 may be directed between the first and second brace members 45 and 46 via the one or more jut members 48 thereby increasing the surface area upon which a textile member 12 is sandwiched between the sandwiching member 42 and the first and second brace members 45, 46. In one embodiment, one or more jut members 48 may include teeth type members extending out from the surface of the sandwiching member 42 as desired. As shown in FIG. 3, a suitable jut member 48 may include a rectangular tongue type member extending out from the surface of the sandwiching member 42 whereby the top attachment cross member assembly 21 is operationally configured to provide a tongue and groove assembly for securing one or more textile members 12 in a fixed position there through. In one suitable embodiment, the jut member 48 may include a rectangular member with outer surfaces operationally configured to compress one or more textile members 12 in the tongue and groove joint formed between the jut member 48 and the inner surfaces of the first and second brace members 45, 46 for securing one or more textile members 12 therein.

Turning to FIG. 4, when the sandwiching member 42 is set to a closed position with the first and second brace members 45, 46, the distal ends of the arm members 40, 41 suitably extend out beyond the distal ends of the sleeve members 43, 44 a desired distance for locking the arm members 40, 41. In one apposite embodiment, one or both of the arm members 40, 41 may include one or more apertures 51, 52 there through that are exposed when the sandwiching member 42 is set to a closed position in abutment with the first and second brace members 45, 46 as shown. Suitably, the top attachment cross member assembly 21 may also include one or more pin members 55 (see FIG. 5) such as dowel pins or other elongated members, operationally configured to be directed through one or both of apertures 51, 52 of the arm members 40, 41 thereby maintaining the top attachment cross member assembly 21 in a closed position to assist in maintaining a textile member 12 disposed there through in a secure position. In another embodiment, the sleeve members 43, 44 may include apertures there through that correspond to one or more apertures 51, 52 of the arm members 40, 41 for locking the arm members 40, 41 in place during use.

As shown in the simplified illustration of FIG. 5, one suitable pin member 55 may include cotter pin(s) operationally configured to mate with one or both of the apertures 51, 52 in a manner effective for maintaining the top attachment cross member assembly 21 in an abutment position for securing a textile member 12 disposed there through. Suitable cotter pins may include, but are not necessarily limited to hairpin cotter pins, bowtie cotter pins, circle cotter pins, split pins, and the equivalent, as the terms are understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. As also understood by the skilled artisan, certain cotter pin designs include a first elongated part to be inserted into one or both of the apertures 51, 52 and a second elongated part lying external the apertures 51, 52 and compressing against the outer surface of the arm members 40, 41, e.g., a hairpin cotter pin. FIG. 2 illustrates that in one embodiment a total of up to four pin members 55 may be employed for securing the arm members of the assemblies 20 and 21.

In one suitable embodiment, the bottom attachment cross member assembly 20 may be constructed of an assembly of component parts similar as described above in reference to the top attachment cross member assembly 21 for providing a tongue and groove assembly for securing one or more textile members 12 in a fixed position there through. As such, in one embodiment the bottom attachment cross member assembly 20 may include a second sandwiching member 57 attached at the distal ends of opposing arm members 58, 59 and third and fourth brace members 60, 61 (see FIGS. 2 and 6). Similar as described above, the second sandwiching member 57 is operationally configured to (1) abut the brace members 60, 61 when the top attachment cross member assembly 21 is set to a closed position as shown in FIGS. 8 and (2) provide a void there between when the top attachment cross member assembly 21 is set to an open position as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7. During use, the bottom attachment cross member assembly 20 is operationally configured to secure one or more textile members 12 in a manner effective to form a front edge 72 of a seat of the chair assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 8.

In one suitable mode of assembling the chair assembly 10, one or more users may direct the top attachment cross member assembly 21 to an open position forming void 50 in a manner effective to direct at least part of a first textile member 12 back to front there through (see Directional Arrows BB1 and BB2 in FIG. 1). Once a desired length of the textile member 12 is pulled through void 50, the top attachment cross member assembly 21 may be set to a closed position securing part of the textile member 12 in a fixed position as shown in FIG. 6. Although the arrangement of the one or more textile members 12 employed may vary depending on the size and kind of textile member(s) used, in one suitable embodiment the top attachment cross member assembly 21 suitably secures one or more textile members 12 at or near a distal edge of the textile member(s) 12 as shown in FIG. 6.

Next, the textile member 12 may be directed downward through a void 65 (see Directional Arrow CC) a distance effective to form a desired support surface of the chair assembly 10, i.e., a distance providing a desired amount of slack in the textile member 12 to dictate the formation of the seat and back of the chair assembly 10 when a user sits atop the textile member 12. As understood by the skilled artisan, the more slack in the textile member 12 the deeper or more sunken the seat configuration that is formed directionally toward the ground. In other words, more slack results in a user sitting with his/her buttocks closer to the ground and vice versa. Once the free end 66 of the textile member 12 is positioned through the second void 65 as desired (see FIG. 7), the second sandwiching member 57 may be directed to a closed position with the third and fourth brace members 60, 61 in a manner effective to secure the textile member 12 against undesired directional movement, e.g., to keep the textile member 12 from slipping out from the bottom side attachment cross member assembly 20 when an individual 5 sits down upon the support surface formed by the chair assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 8.

Although the present figures illustrate assembly of a textile member 12 directionally from the top attachment cross member assembly 21 downward according to Arrows BB1, BB2 and CC, in another embodiment the textile member 12 may be assembled to the frame member 11 starting at the bottom attachment cross member assembly 20 upward. Of further note, the various figures illustrate side members 18, 19 and side members 24, 25 defining an open empty space there between. As shown in FIG. 8, one or more textile members 12 may be disposed in this open empty space whereby the buttocks region and lower back region of an individual 5 are supported solely by one or more textile members 12. In another embodiment, one or more cross members may be disposed between the side members 18, 19 and/or side members 24, 25 in a manner effective to assist the one or more textile members 12 in supporting the weight of an individual 5 during use of the chair assembly 10.

Without limiting the invention, the frame member 12 is suitably constructed from one or more materials durable enough to maintain its basic shape during use. In particular, the frame member 12 may be constructed of one or more materials including but not necessarily limited to those materials resistant to chipping, cracking, excessive bending and reshaping as a result of ozone, weathering, heat, moisture, other outside mechanical and chemical influences, as well as various impacts and other loads placed on the frame member 12. Likewise, the frame member 12 may comprise any color or combination of colors, or in the alternative, the chair assembly 10 may be constructed from a transparent or translucent material(s).

Suitable frame member 12 materials of construction may include, but are not necessarily limited to metals, plastics, rubbers, woods, bamboo, fiberglass, plexiglass, filled composite materials, and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics may include, but are not necessarily limited to vinyl polymers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and combinations thereof. Suitably metals may include, but are not necessarily limited to aluminum, copper, steel, brass, and combinations thereof. Suitable woods may include those wood types common to furniture construction including, but not necessarily limited to maple, oak, hickory, ash, walnut, beech, mahogany, basswood, birch, cedar, cherry, elm, gum, lauan, pecan, pine, redwood, sycamore, teak, walnut, spruce, chestnut, and combinations thereof.

Without limiting the invention, a suitable textile member 12 is operationally configured to suspendedly support an adult using the chair assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 8, Suitable textile members 12 may be constructed from flexible and/or stretchable material, such as fabrics, resilient plastics and knitted cloths. In addition, although the textile member(s) employed may be constructed from one or more materials resistant to deterioration, decay or failure as a result of ozone, weathering, heat, moisture, other outside mechanical and chemical influences, an advantageous feature of the present chair assembly 10 allows for the substitution of one or more textile members 12 as required or otherwise desired. Therefore, textile members 12 may be changed out to alter the aesthetic qualities of the chair assembly 10 during use. For example, the overall color of the chair assembly 10 may be altered by changing the color(s), patterns, and combinations thereof, of one or more textile members 12. For example, colored bath towels and beach towels may be employed as textile members 12 and alternated for use according to one or more purposes, e.g., holidays, sporting events, commercial marketing, etc., to change the color, appearance and/or messaging of the chair assembly 10.

Although the chair assembly 10 may be built to scale, in one suitable embodiment for adult usage, the frame member 12 may include the following dimensions:

-   -   Length of each side member 18 and 19: about 78.7 cm (about 31.0         inches);     -   Length of each side member 24 and 25: about 101.6 cm (about 40.0         inches);     -   Length of each brace member 30 and 32: about 35.6 cm (about 14.0         inches);     -   Distance between arm members 40, 41: about 52.1 cm (about 20.5         inches);     -   Distance between arm members 58, 59: about 48.3 cm (about 19.0         inches);         and the textile member 12 employed may include a commercially         available towel ranging in length from about 124.5 cm to about         134.6 cm (about 49.0 inches to about 53.0 inches) and ranging in         width from about 49.5 cm to about 68.6 cm (about 19.5 inches to         about 27.0 inches).

It is further contemplated that the present chair assembly 10 may be provided with one or more additional features and/or accessory component parts. For example, the side members 18, 19 and/or 24, 25 may be operationally configured to receive arm rest members in releasable attachment thereto, e.g., the side members 18, 19 and/or 24, 25 may comprise one or more apertures for receiving part of an arm rest member in a mated position and vice versa. One suitable arm rest member may include a beverage holder as understood by the skilled artisan. The second ends of the side members 18, 19 and/or 24, 25 may also include substantially planar surfaces for maximizing the surface contact area between the second ends and the support surface (see the second ends of the side members 24 and 25 in FIG. 1). Similar as other furniture items characterized by leg members, the second ends of the side members 18, 19 and/or 24, 25 may also be provided with sliders and/or glides as understood by the skilled artisan. In another embodiment, the second ends of the side members 18, 19 and/or 24, 25 may be operationally configured to receive caster wheels and the like in attachment thereto to provide a rolling chair assembly 10. The one or more jut members 48 may include an outer surface layer comprising resilient plastic and/or rubber materials to amplify the fitting of the tongue and groove joint formed between the jut member 48 and the inner surfaces of the first and second brace members 45, 46 and/or third and fourth brace members 60, 61.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many modifications may be made to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the application.

The embodiment(s) described herein are meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the invention, which is defined in the claims. 

I claim:
 1. A chair assembly comprising: a frame member; and a textile member; the frame member having a first fastening assembly for releasable securement of part of the textile member and a second fastening assembly for releasable securement of a different part of the textile member; the first and second fastening assemblies securing the textile member in a manner effective to provide a seat and back of the chair assembly.
 2. The chair assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second fastening assemblies each provide tongue and groove joints operationally configured to secure the textile member in a fixed position there through.
 3. The chair assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame member includes a seat frame assembly and a back frame assembly pivotally connected to the seat frame assembly, wherein the configuration of the seat frame assembly is operationally configured to dictate the angle of the back frame assembly during use of the chair assembly.
 4. The chair assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame member defines an open empty space within the frame member, the textile member being disposed in the open empty space for providing the seat and back.
 5. A chair assembly comprising a frame member and a textile member disposed across the frame member; the frame member being operationally configured to releasably sandwich different parts of the textile member in a manner effective for the textile member to form a seat and back of the chair assembly.
 6. The chair assembly of claim 5 wherein the frame member includes a first assembly for sandwiching the textile member in a manner effective to form a front edge of the seat.
 7. The chair assembly of claim 6 wherein the frame member includes a second assembly for sandwiching the textile member in a manner effective to form a top edge of the back.
 8. A chair assembly comprising: a frame member; and a textile member; wherein the frame member includes tongue and groove assemblies for securing different parts of the textile member in a fixed position in a manner effective for the textile member to form a support surface of the chair assembly.
 9. The chair assembly of claim 8 wherein the frame member defines an open empty space within the frame member, the textile member being disposed in the open empty space for providing the support surface. 